Controller for telephonic recording



May 5, 1942. M, THOMPSON CONTROLLER FOR TELEPHONIO RECORDING 3 Sheets-Sheet l May 5, 1942. M. THoMPsoN 2,282,100

coNTRoLLERFoR TELEPHONIC RECORDING .Buzzi/v m warnte ffm/wen May 5, 1942. M. THoMPsoN 2,282,100

CONTROLLER FOR TELEPHONIC RECORDING Filed Dec. '7, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ml l @di @mi Patented May 5, 1942 CDNTROLLER FR TELEPHONIC RECORDING Morris Thompson, Nyack, N. Y.

Application December 7, 1940, Serial No. 369,005

(Cl. P19-5.5)

19 Claims.

This invention relates to the recording of telephonic messages.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide for automatically bringing into operation a suitable message receiving controller for recording any message which is desired to be delivered in the absence of establishment of the usual telephone connections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for controlling the recording of telephonic messages which lends itself readily to attachment for use in conjunction with the usual telephone circuits, and which will not interfere with the normal operation or use of the telephone.

Another object of the invention is to provide time controlling means whereby the durationof the recording' of a message may be determined, and, if desired, the conclusion of the recording period may be made known to the caller so that he may know that the time available for recording .his message is about to be concluded.

Another object is to provide means for use in conjunction with a device for recording telephonic messages and by which recording will be initiated following the elapse of a predetermined tachable at the receiving station and does not require supplementing at a central switchboard.

Fig. 1A is a section of a detail of the switch contacts shown in Fig. 1 taken in a plane at right angles to the plane of the paper.

Fig. 2 is a modied arrangement providing for unlimited recording under control of circuit connections at the central switchboard.

Fig. 3. is still another modification providing for unlimited recording under the control of the central switchboard.

time interval after initiation of the telephone connection and by which the caller is apprised that he may start delivering the message he wishes to record for subsequent reference by the intended receiver.

Another object is to provide means for association with a device for recording telephonie messages by which the duration of time for the recording of a message is determinable at the will of the caller, or by a central operator, and may be extended indeiinitely for the capacity of the recording device.

Further and other objects of the present inven- Fig. 4 is still another modiiication providing for unlimited recording under the control of the central switchboard and in which the duration of recording is controlled by an initiatingimpulse, and a concluding impulse current.l

Fig. 5 demonstrates a form of switch applicable to a jack at the central switchboard for providing continuous current by which recording may be controlled in conjunction with either of the systems illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 demonstrates a form of switch applicable to a jack at the central switchboard for vproviding an initiating impulse current and a concluding impulse current for controlling the duration of recording interval for the system illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 shows the association of an announcing device, such. as a phonograph, with a motor.

Fig. 8 is a plan of one form of phonographic device for making a voice announcement.

device station as is required to be understood for an tion will be hereinafter .set forth in the accompanying specification and .claims and demonstrated by the drawings which show by way of illustration preferred embodiments and the principle of my invention and what I now consider the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle. Other embodiments of understanding of the present invention including the line cable over which two-way communication is transmitted and by which the calling signal or bell is operated. For convenience of illustration,

I have generally indicated the telephone line cable the invention employing the same principle can be mechanism which is self-contained and easily atat .I0 and in the interest of simplifying the disclosure I have shown a separate cable Il for operating the telephone call signal. It will be understood that a single incoming cable may be used for transmitting the communication carrier current and the current for the calling signal, but for the present purposes these two currents will be referred to as having separate cables l0 and Il, irrespective of whether or not two or more conductors ru'n between a central' station and asubscriber station. I2 is the usual calling bell which advises oi a potentially active telephone circuit for an incoming message.

The conventional telephone receiver I3, when to this point are the usual ones which are eln-- ,ployed in the usual telephone installation. No

change is contemplated or necessary lin the apparatus or circuits oi the usuel telephone system, although the same y be supplemented for cerv tain applications as mili later appear. My message recording controller, however, is adapted for installation by attac e to the usual telephone circuit without need of auxiliary appliances, as is explained hereinafter. l

The message recording controller is designed to function to receive and record telephone messages a slot in said member.

to the exclusion of the usual telephone receiver so that when a call is not answered, the controller, after a lapse oi prederminedtime, will automatically initiate recording of the intended message. The length of time before the recorder is l connected in the telephone circuit is adjustable in accordance with the amount of time that a particular receiving station should have for permitting answer by the person called. Some homes and cilices will require diierent intervals of-time for this purpose. 'When this interval of time has elapsed, the recorder becomes available for recording and some form of buzzer or other sounding device may be used, if desired, to apprise the caller that the recording` mechanism is ready to receive a message.l This buzzer may function for the duration of the operation of the recording means to keep the calling party informed that the recording connections are being maintained for his use.

Provision is also made for determining the duration of the operation of the recording means and which disconnects the recording means from the telephone circuit and restores the recording controller and associated circuits to normal condition of disuse so that conditions thereafter prevail as when .the telephone circuit has been broken by the replacement of the receiver upon its base or hook. A chime or other distinguishing sounding device may be used to forewarn the person calling and transcribing a. message that the duration of the period of time for recording the message is` about to elapse so that he may conclude his message. Of course, the recording of the message may be continued by reinitiating a telephone call and thereby starting a new reccrdlng period. An auxiliary switch and circuit ls provided which may be associated with the telephone receiver for cutting out the operation of the recorder when the receiver is raised from its aeeaioc to advise that the recorder is in circuit and that the calling party may record his message if he so chooses.

The ends ci cables it and il are provided with contacts which are so mounted as to be engageable with each other ior making the connection between these cables following the elapse oi a predetermined period ci time. While various iorms of timing switches are available for this purpose. I have illustrated a form of switch which will accomplish the desired results. This switch includes a' membe'rfZ@ which is adjustably positionable by retaining screw 2i in engagement with cablek l5 arebarried by said member 2U. The terminal ends of cable il are mounted in a movableblock 22 which is carried by a post 23, so mounted as to move the terminals carried by block 22 into contact with the terminals carried by member 20, Resilient mountings are provided to insure closure of associated terminals when brought together. Such resilient means are shown in Fig. 1A, for example.

Post 23 is guided at its upper end by a fixed pin 2l and a spring-pressed follower 25 which biases the upper end of the post against the pin. In this position of the terminal block 22, the engaging terminals on the post are directly beneath the engageable terminals of the ilxed block 20. The lower end of the post 23 is supported on a pin or screw 26 which engages slot 21 and allows for the vertical, as well as oscillatory, movement of the post. A spring 28 normally holds the switch-post 23 in .its lowermost position which corresponds to the position of restor of inaction of the message recorder.

Whenever a callis made, the operator or calling mechanism at the central station operates the call bell I 2. The call bell current is utilized in the present invention for initiating movement of terminal post-23 which subsequently results in closing the connection between the telephone line cable I0 and the recorder I8. For accomplishing this I so connect a solenoid 30 as to cause its energization each time' the call bell rings. Pawl 3|, carried by the amature 32, engages teeth 33 upon the terminal post 23 and raises the terminal post upon each energization of the solenoid. A oneway retaining pawl and ratchet 3l is employed base by one who wishes to discontinue the recording` and receive the message verbally. This circuit is ineil'ective when the telephone is answered in its usual manner and before any recording has been initiated,

In the main, my invention provides for tapping the telephone line cable to take off a parallelconnection I6 by which the communication circuits are connected through the cable I1 to the recording device I 8. 'I'his recorder I 3 may be any one of the several well-known typesvemploying such arrangements as sound tracks or metal tapes or may be a dictaphone, for example. This same circuit connection I8, I1 also may be used to supply current to a buzzer or other signal device I9 for providing an audible indication of the .operation of the recording device. 'rhebuzzei- 1s 'lo for maintaining the terminal post in each position to whichA it is raised by each operation of pulse of signal current) and the closing of the contacts and during which it isY expected that the telephone will be answered` if there is someone available to do so. For each ring of the call bell,V

the terminal post 23 is raised one notch and if the telephone receiver I3 has not been lifted, the terminal blocks 20 and 22 will close the contacts carried thereby, say, after three or four rings, for example. The fixed setting of terminal block 23 before the contacts are closed, and, as shown by the scale 35, the setting corresponds or is equivalent to three rings.

It is also necessary that the means for operating the recorder be connected for operation when the recorder is connected to the telephone line cable. Motor 36 is for operating the recorder and the same or similar switch means may be employed for its control. The motor has a cable The terminal ends of 31 terminating inthe terminal block 22. A power cable 38 terminates in terminal block 28 and establishes electrical connection with cable 31 when the two terminal blocks are brought together. Cable 38 is connected with any suitable sourcevof power, such as transformer 48. This transformer is provided with a suitable cut-out switch and plug connection 4I for connection with the ordinary house circuit. It is apparent that the power cable 38 becomes operative to operate motor 36 whenever the recorder I8 is connected to telephone line cable i8, because of the common supporting means for their cables.

I have thus far described the means and circuits for initiating the recording of a message when the receiver is not lifted from its base. I contemplate the provision of means for automatically discontinuing the recording operation, either at the end of a predetermined elapse of time, or at the conclusion of a call by interruption of the telephone circuit.

In Fig. 1, I have shown means for discontinuing the connection between the telephone line cable and the recording means under the control of a timing mechanism which is associated with the message receiving or subscriber station. This includes a solenoid 42, an amature 43, which is biased away from the solenoid by a carried by terminal blocks 23 and'22 are opened.

At the same time, the detent at 34 is released from retaining action and the switch-post is snapped downwardly by spring 23. contacts carried by terminal blocks 28, 22 are separated, .the solenoid 42 is immediately deenergized. The switch-post will remain in the position shown in Fig. l until such time as the recording mechanism is again brought into use.

The deenergizing of solenoid 42 is accomplished immediately upon disengagement of a third group of terminals 46 carried by blocks 28 and 22. 'I'he third group of contacts 46 are closed when the terminal block 22 reaches its highest position. Contacts 46, mounted in block 28, are connected to a source of power such as transformer 48 by means of cable 41. The associated contacts carried by movable block 22 are connected to solenoid 43 and motor 49 by means of cable 58. The connection of cables 41 and 58 causes energization of solenoid 43 and actuation of motor 49. These are associated with a timing mechanism which governs the length of recording time by determining the moment of energization of solenoid.

Upon'energlzation of solenoid 43 at the initiation of the recording period, contact rod 5I` is pressed to the right against a friction wheel 52 which is driven through a train of reduction gears 53 by motor 49. Solenoid 43 causes this by the attraction of its armature 54 and the movement of slide 55 which carries the anti-friction member 'by which the contact rod 5I is pressed against friction wheel 52. A spring 51 allows for resilient pressure between contact rod 5i and its frictional driving wheel 52. As long as the motor and solenoid are energized (which is the duration of the recording period) the motor, through its reduction gears, will drive contact rod .5I

against the action of its spring 56. When con-r n tact rod 5I reaches its highest position, it closes When the contacts 53, 59 and establishes a circuit through line 68, solenoid 42, line 6I, line 62, and line 63 to the transformer 40.

The result of energization of solenoid 42 is to push the switch-post 23 to the left (Fig. l) and open al1 of the contacts carried by terminal blocks 28 and 22, with the result that recording is concluded and the flow of electrical energy tov solenoid 48 and motor 49 is discontinued.

Means are provided for adjusting the initial spaced relation of contacts 58 and 59 whereby the duration of the recording operation may be predetermined. By way of illustration I have shown in the drawings a pin and slot connection 54 for accomplishing this.

It is desirable that the person for whom a call is intendedi be able to disconnect the operation of the message recorder should he wish to receive the message verbally after the recording operation has started. For enabling this result I provide the receiving station with a pair of contacts in parallel arrangement with the automatically operable contacts 58, 59 so that solenoid 42 may be manually deenergized.

A convenient way of doing this is to attach such contacts to the receiver in such manner that they will be closed when the receiver is raised. As shown in Fig. 1, I have illustrated contacts 66, 61 for accomplishing that purpose. Contact 61 is attached to line 68 and thev closing of contacts 66 and 61 causes current fiow from transformer 48 to line 69, contacts 18 (when closed) line 1|, contacts 66, 61, line 63, line 6I, solenoid 42 and line 68 to the transformer 43. Accordingly, when the switch-post 23 is in a raised position and contacts'18 are closed, the lifting of the receiver I3 will cause the closing of contacts 66, 61V and the energization of solenoid 42 by which the switch-post is released from retention by pawl 34 and permitted to be restored to normal position. If ther circuits through blocks 28, 22 had been closed they are opened and, in any event, all elements of the controller are restored to normal. i

Contacts 18 on the switch-post are provided sq as to assure no current flow from the transformer when 'the receiver is lifted from its -base and used `in the usual manner. With the switchpost in its lowest position the circuit through solenoid 42 is broken at 18 even though closed at 66, 61. Contacts 18 are so spaced as to maintain the circuit therethrough preferably for the full-movement of the switch-post after itsafirst step of movement. 'I'his is arranged in thismanner so that the switch-post will be returned to its normal position of disuse whenever the receiver is raised and contacts 66 and 61 are closed, even though the switch-post has not been raised suiciently to institute message recording.

A double pole switch 13 may be provided inthe solenoid circuit 38 for immoblizing the entire message recorder, at will.

In order that a party calling the subscriber station and using the recorder for recording a message may be forewarned that the` duration of the recording period is about to expire', I propose to provide an arrangement capable of `transmitting a distinctive'signal fover the telephone circuit prior to the elapse of the recording period.

Such a signal would prepare the caller to close his message.` This warning signal is attainable v by a pair ofcontacts, .14, 15 mounted with relation to contacts 53, 59 so as to close prior to their closing. These contacts 14,' 15 have series connections over` lines 16, 11 witha chime or other on panel E may be similar to corresponding.

mechanism previously described with respect to Fig. i. Solenoid ed. by which the operation oi the message recorder is discontinued, is under Acontrol ci electromagnetjvtil. This electromagnet may be connected through cable 'itl with the teleU phone line circuit lli, as shown, and thereby energized when circuit connection ls-rnade between the calling and receiving stations, or it may be energized by an auxiliary line or circuit having contacts at the central station. The intention is that electromagnet 8| be energized inimediately when the subscriber station is placed on a potentially active circuit, las when a subscriber station is being called.`1'his may be accom-- plished mechanically orconcomltantly with the insertion of the jack by vthefoperator at the central switchboard, Solenoid 8| is maintained in an energized condition as long as the stationto-station condition isl maintained.

. The immediate eifectiof energizing solenoid 8| is` to attract armature `82 and open contacts 03,

04, with the result that the circuit from the :aux-

lliarysource of power.l or transformer 08 over lines, 81,08, 89 andv 90 is maintained open.

yThe-opening of contacts 83, 84 to attain this open circuit occurs prior to the energization of bell circuitsl, and hence prior to the initial energization of solenoid 92. Accordingly, .when contacts 03, 84 open; solenoid 82 will not have been energized and switch-posi; 93 will not have been moved from its normal position..- 'I'his being the case, contacts 94....90 will have been open when contacts v03. 84 were closed so that no current couldhave passed through solenoid 00.

- :iWhen .contacts Nr'SS-areclosed as a result of subsequent `movementof switch-post 03, the cir- ;cuit `from the transformer over lines 00, Il, 00, 89,solenoid 80 and line 90 will have already been opened by Vthe 'energization of solenoid 0| and the .consequent openlngfof contacts 83, 04. According1y,;no` currentcan-=1low through the switch 'restoring solenoid-'80 until contacts' 0.4, '90 are closedfand' either contacts 01,14 or contacts 01,

90' are closed.

' "At the conclusion of activ'station-tolstatlon telephoneconnection, solenoid 0| is deenergized vandcc'v'ntacts 8l. 0.4 'are immediately closed, with the result that solenoid 80 isenergized and the switching mechanism is restored' to itsfnormal position,'whereby any recording operation. that may have been in vprogress will be discontinued. From this it will be apparent that the length V of the recording operation may be determined at the central station by the mechanism or operator who has control of thestatlon-to-station .connectlon.

The receiver-controlled contacts 01, 00 are in parallel connection with contacts 03, 04, with thev result that if the receiver is raisedk from its base and contacts 91, 90 are closed, solenoid 00 is energized and the switch mechanism 93 is immediately iii ` 80 of Fig. Z, through wires |04, |00, |09 and III.

assainir thrown out and any recording operation is coneluded.

The circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 3 is designed 'to operate the control of the duration ci the message recording operation by the continuous ilovv ci current at the receiving station.

lin this embodiment of the invention, instead of operating solenoid by current directly controlled at the central station switchboard, an

auxiliary solenoid Gilt is provided. This solenoid, as in the case ci solenoid el vof Fig. 2, ismaintained energized so lone as current is :tlowin through the telephone line cable or an auxiliary cable mi. The energiaation of solenoid |0| causes the closing of contacts |03 and the completion of a circuit through solenoid |00, including lines ldd, t5 and |06. This causes the opening ci contacts i0?, which assures that solenoid to of Fig. 2 remains deenergiaedfduring the telephone circuit connection.

At the completion of the telephone connection, solenoid lill ls deenergized, with the result that contacts |03 are opened. This results in breaking the circuit through solenoid |00. Deenergization of solenoid |00 permits contacts |01 toclose, thereby causing energization of solenoid As inthe circuit diagram shown in Fig. `2,Y receiver contacts H2 and Ill are' connected in parallel with contacts |01 so that they will close the circuit through solenoid 00 as 'soon as the party for whom the message is intended raises the receiver from its standard. It will be understood that contacts similar to 94 and 05 of Fig. 2 will be employed to assure an open circuit for solenoid i when the subscriber station is not in use and contacts |01 are closed.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figs, 2 and 3, it'ls desired to point out that the current for maintaining solenoids 0| and 0| energized during telephone connection may be obtained by the use of an auxiliary circuit having contacts at the central switchboard. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, one of such contacts H5 may be mounted on atelephone Jack and the other contact ||0 may be in the form of an elongated spring member. When the lack is inserted for making telephone connection, the contacts Illand |I0 will close an auxiliary circuit such as that included in the cable |02 of y solenoid, such as that shown in Fig. 3, is of partlcular advantage when a weak controlling current is used.

The embodiment ofl the invention illustrated in Fig. 4 contemplates the use o! a current im-l pulse at the beginning of the telephone connection and the use of another current impulse atv the end oi the telephone connection for concluding the operation of the message recorder. The

interval of the recording period may be deter- I mined at the switchboard by the provision of contacts ||1 and III, Fig. 6. Contact ||1 is so v placed on the jack as to wipe contact III in passing and close the circuit therebetween each time the Jack is introduced and withdrawn from its socket.

Referring. to Fig. 4, the auxiliary circuit in cable |20 is closed by the contacts ||1 and ||0 of F18. 6 when the jack is introduced into` its socket. Solenoid |2| thereby receives animpulse which causes the closing of contacts |22,l

|23. The closing of these contacts causes energlzation of solenoid |24 and the consequent kicking out of the connection between the telephone line circuit 25 andthe recorder, as has been explained. The circuit for solenoid |24 is established through wires |26, |21 and |28. This occurs prior to the institution of the operation of the message recorder so the circuit-breaking movement of the switch-post is ineffectual except for reinstituting the commencement of the period during which the switch-post moves before recording can take place.

Following the initial energization of solenoid |24, contacts I 22 and |23 are immediately opened by the action of spring |29 and 4remain open until contacts ||1 and 8 are again closed by the withdrawal of the jack. At Athe conclusion of the telephone connection solenoid |2| is again energized, with the result that the switch-post will be moved so as to break the switch connections governing the message recording.

As in the other modiiications contacts |30 and |3| are provided for energizing solenoid |24 to break the connections between the telephone line circuit |25 and the recorder |23 at the will of a receiving party. The circuit is over lines |32, |33, |21, solenoid |24, line |28.

A device for apprising that a message may be recorded may embody or take the form of a reproducer with a record of a voice making some such announcement as You may record your .message for the duration of the hum. Go ahead,

please. Different statements may be made to suit the particular '-instrumentalities in use, such as would be required, for example, if the buzzer is used only for signalling the initiation -of the recording period.

A phonograph having a record provided with the desired message may be automatically put into operation at the closing of the controlling switch 2|),` 22, so that the message would be delivered over cables |6, I1, at the initiation of the telephone connection through the controlling switch. A form of mechanism for accomplishing this and for giving the desired announcement is illustrated in Figs. '1, 8 and 9. This mechanism is in the form of an ordinary disk phonograph |36 which may b e driven through a shaft |35 having connection with the shaft of motor 36 (Fig. 1). Cable |31 provides electrical connection with cable |1, by which the recorded message may be transmitted over the telephone line cable I8 when the controlling switch is closed. As shown in Fig. 8, the record has a groove |38 with sound characteristics for send- Solenoid |48 is provided for pulling bridge |45 downwardly to permit the pick-up ,|39 to vdescend upon the record. Solenoid, lcsrillergized at the time the controlllngvswitch I"2li,` 22 is closed, and this may be accomplished by 00nnecting the leads |49 and |58 with thepower.

supply leads of cable 31 or'of cable 50 (Figi). whichever is most convenient. Accordingly, ythe pick-up |39 will be permitted to descend -intothe sound groove or track at the initiation of the recording period. 4

At the conclusion of the recording period and upon deenergization of solenoid |48, bridge |45 will rise and cause the needle to be removed from the record.A Spring |5| will restore thepick-up to its announcement-initiating position (Fig.v 8)

and hold it there until another. recording period is instituted and 4solenoid |48 is energized.

' carried out by other means.

ing the desired announcement over the telephone line. The stylus of the pick-up |39 rests upon the record and picks up the announcement as the record is rotated. At the conclusion of the announcement, the stylus will run over a blank groove |40 and remain'idle until the rotation of the phonograph disk is concluded at the end of the recording period. Thepick-up is mounted at the end of an arm |4| in such a manner as to permit it to be raised from the In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,' I have herein described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiments thereof, but I desire to have it Vunderstood that the apparatus disclosed is only illustrative and that the invention can be Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combinations and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted and some of the features of each modification may be embodied in the others without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such use, within the scope of the appended claims. f

Whatis claimed is:

. 1. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriberl station for controlling the reception of telephonie messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a messagereceiver, a. second message receiver at the same subscriber station, switch means having engageable contacts for connecting said second named message receiver in circuit with the telephone line circuit, time controlled means for operating said switch means.

' for causing same to connectsaid second message line circuit, a second message receiver at the record as well as to be moved laterally as the record is -rotated. This armv I 4| is supported upon a bridge |45 which `constitutes a leverl pivoted at |46. This lever is normally in a raised -position in which it is held by a spring |41. Arm

4 |44 carrying the pick-up is held away from the record in an elevated position (Fig. 9) by the bridge |45 when the phonograph is in disuse.

same subscriber station, a call signal circuit for said subscriber station, and means operated by said call signal circuit for closing said contacts to place said second message receiver inV circuit with the telephone line circuit said means being operative only after more' than one call signal.

3. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriber station for controlling the reception of telephonie messages over a telephone line circuit comprising av message receiver, switch means having engageable contacts for connecting said message receiver inv circuit with the telephone line circuit, ra call signal circuit, means loperated by said call signal circuit for closing said contacts to place said messagev receiver` in circuit with the telephone line circuit, and means-for opening said contacts following a predetermined time interval after their closing.

4. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriber station for controlling the reception of disconnected from said telephone line circuit, switch means'having engageable contactsv for connecting said message recording device in circuit with the telephone line circuit, a call signal circuit, and means operated by said call signal circuit for closing said contacts to place said message recording device in. circuit with the Atelephoneline circuit.

5. A message receiving controller Afor use at a subscriber station' for controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a telephone linecircuit comprising a message recording Adevice normally disconnected from said telephone line circuit,

switch means having engageable contacts for connecting said message recording device in circuit with the telephone line circuit, means for operating-said message recording device, including a circuit independent of said ltelephone line circuit, other contacts controlled by said switch I .means for .closing said independent circuit, a call signal circuit',A and means .operated by said call signal circuit for operating said switch means to place said message recording device in circuit circuit for operating said message recording device operating means.

6. A message receiving controller for use at a s ubscriberstation for controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a message recording device, switchmeans having engageable contactsfor ,connecting said message recording device in circuit with the telephone line circuit, a vc'all signal circuit. means operated by said call -sign'al'circuit for operating said switch means to lclosesaid contacts to place said message recording device in circuit 'with the' telephone line circuit, and means for opening said contacts f ollowingthe elapse of a predetermined time interval after theirclosing.

7. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriber station for controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a. telephone line circuit comprising a message 'recording device,

switch means having engageable contacts for connecting said message recording device in circuit with the telephone line circuit, means for operating said message recording device, including a circuit independent of said telephone line circuit, other contacts controlled by said. switch means for closing said -independent circuit, a call signal circuit, means operated by said call signal circuit for operating said switch means to place said message recording device in circuit lwith the telephone line circuit and to close said '8. A message receiving controller for use at asubscriber station for controlling -the reception of .telephonic messages over a telephone line circuit for connection with said telephone line-circuit,

switch means having engageable contacts for connecting said message'recording devicein cirycuit with the telephone line circuit, a call signal telephonic messages over a telephone line circuitv vvcomprising a message recording. device normally circuit, means operated by said call signal circuit for closing said contacts to place said message Arecording device in circuit with the telephone line circuit, and circuit means under the control of said receiver for breaking 4said connection of said message recordingA device with said tele- .phone line circuit when connection between said receiver and line circuit is established.

9. A message receiving controller for use at a .subscriber station for controlling the reception of telephonic messagesover a telephone line ciricuitcomprising a message recording device, switch m'eans 'having engageable contacts for connecting said message recording device in circuit with the telephone line circuit, a receiver for connection with said telephone .line circuit, means for operating said message recording-device, including a circuit independent o! said telephone line circuit, other contacts controlled byl said switch means for closing said independent witnthe telephone line circuitland to close said circuit, a call signal circuit, means operated by said call signal circuit for operating said switch' means to place said message recording device .in circuit with the telephone line circuit and to close said circuit for'operating said message recording device operating means, and means for automatically opening said circuits 'during a recording operation upon connection of said receiver in said telephone line circuit'.

l0. A message receiving controller for use at a A subscriber station for controlling the reception of telephonic 'messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a message recorder, switch means forconnecting said message recorder to said telephone line circuit, circuit controlled means for f actuating said switch means to circuit closing position, other circuit means for breaking the connection of said message recorder ,withsaid telephone line circuit, and time controlled. means for energizing said last named circuit.

11. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriber station for controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a message recorder, switch means 'for connecting said message recorder to said telephone line circuit, circuit controlledmeans for actuating said switch means to circuit closing position, other circuit means for breaking the connection of said message recorderwith said telephone line circuit, a telephone receiver, and

contacts operable by said telephone receiver for breaking the connection of said message recorder comprising a message recording device, 'afreceiver 75 with said telephone line circuit.

l2. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriber sta'tion for controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a message recorder, switch means for connecting said messagerecorder to said telephone line circuit, circuit controlled means for actuatingsaid switch means -to circuit closing position, other circuit means for breaking the connection of said message recorderwithsaid telephone line circuit, circuit connections for controlling the operation of said other circuit means for breaking theconnection of said message recorder with said telephone line circuit, and means for controlling the energization o! said last named circuit connections, said means comprising contacts 'which are closed when the telephone line circuit is made potentially active at the central station and maintained closed s0 long as the telephone line circuit is kept potentially active.

13. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriber station for controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a message recorder, switch means for connecting said message recorder to said telephone line circuit, circuit controlled means for actuating said switch means to circuit closing position, other circuit means for breaking the connection of said message recorder with said telephone line circuit, circuit connections for controlling the operation of said other circuit means for breaking the connection of said message recorder with said telephone line circuit, and

cuit comprising a message recorder, switch means I for connecting said message recorder in circuit with the telephone line circuit, a call signal circuit,` means voperated thereby for moving said switch means into circuitclosing position, and timing. devices for limiting the duration of connection of said message recorder with said telephone line circuit, said timing devices including a solenoid and armature for tripping said sii/itch means, a circuit for energizing said solenoid, motor controlled means llor closing said last named circuit, and circuit inea-ns 'cr initiating operation of said motor controlled means when said message recorder records.

l5. The combination set forth in claim i4 in which means is provided for varying the length o time period for operation of the message recorder. y

1.6. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriber station for controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a message recorder, switch means for connecting said message recorder in circuit with the telephone line circuit, a call signal circuit, electro-magnetic means operated thereby, a stepby-step operating mechanism for actuation by said electro-magnetic means for advancing said switch means to circuit-closing position at each energization of said call signal circuit, and means for tripping said switch means out of circuit making position for discontinuing connection of said message recorder in circuit with said telephone line circuit.

17. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriber station for controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a message receiver, switch means having engageable contacts for connecting said message receiver in circuit with the telephone line circuit, and current impulse controlled means for operating said switch means for causing same to energize said messagereceiver, said impulse controlled means being adjustable for closing the switch contacts for various series of current impulses.

18. A message receiving controller for use at a subscriber station for controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a message receiver, switch means having engageable contacts for connecting said message receiver in circuit with the telephone line circuit, a call signal circuit, and currentv impulse means operated by said call signal circuit ior closing said contacts to place said message receiver in circuit with the telephone line circuit, said current impulse means being adjustable to operate'I on more than one impulse.

iQ. message receiving controller for use at a subscriber station Jfor controlling the reception of telephonic messages over a telephone line circuit comprising a message receiver, an apprising device for giving an audible announcement over the telephone line circuit, switch means having engageable contacts for connecting said message receiver and apprising device in circuit with the telephine line circuit, and time controlled means for operating said switch means for causing same to energize said message receiver.

MORRIS THOMPSON. 

